In author Jon Scieszka’s piece in the Huffington Post talking about his nearly-done two year term as the National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature, he mentioned the advice he’s been giving about how to get reluctant readers reading. I wanted to pick up on one point:
Avoid demonizing television, computer games, and new technologies. Electronic media may compete for kids’ attention, but we’re not going to get kids reading by badmouthing other entertainment. Admit that TV and games can do things books can’t. Talk about how reading can make a world in ways that movies and games can’t.
I’d carry that further, particularly here at this blog, to note that embracing new tools and technologies… understanding that they are different than “the old ways” but they can often do things that prior tools could not… is not only the path of least resistance but also a path at least as likely to lead to success in reaching your goals.
Again, it’s not that this means embracing everything new that’s available, nor does it mean giving up well-proven methods to get where you want to go. Still, fighting the tide – simply bemoaning e-books or noting that a thousands of users have left Facebook (while 500,000 have signed up) – seems to me, at least, like a lot of effort to expend, particularly when there’s no upside to doing so.
It’s no secret that I love technology, but what I’m really talking about is more focused on people and the different ways they connect to each other and to entertainment than it is about the tools themselves. I think that focus is clear in Jon Scieszka’s comment, too.
If I’m off base, of course, I hope you’ll tell me. Or tell me to go read a book that proves your point 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think one key point in the argument about e-books vs. print books is that each type of “book” is best for different kinds of reading. For instance, text-heavy picture books are not really appropriate for the iPhone — the dang screen is too small. The iPhone is good for picture books with little or no text, animation, and touch-screen interactivity.
My kids have never lived in a time that was devoid of technology. I think it’s important, though, for them to have “technology-free” time. They read books all the time. They carry the books with them everywhere and all the time…hardback books with real pages.
We use the computer daily for schoolwork (we homeschool) and also for fun (they love webkinz, pbskids and starfall.com). But I want them to have a good balance for it all.
And the cool thing is, kids are reading more than ever – just not in the same ways we used to. That has to be a good thing!
e
I must admit to agreeing with both points of view. On the embrace-technology side, I think it’s a great way to connect with kids/teens who often view adults as being out of the loop and “stupid” to quote the angst-ridden teen set in our family! On the old-ways side, I think it’s important to understand and appreciate former pathways even if it’s not your chosen preference. As a 30 year teacher, I know kids prefer digital clocks- easy to read- yet I always taught them to tell time with “the hands” so they’d know the concept. Another pertinent example is giving change in a store. Registers these days print out how much change to give so young clerks/cashiers have no clue how to “count back change” if the computer register is off line. That was a skill I also wanted students to know. Having that knowledge doesn’t prevent them from choosing digital alternatives. Nor does reading a book in print preclude using e-books. But feeling the newness of unturned pages in a book, even the smell of it, or the “crack” the binding makes when opening a hardback to peruse it, try getting those sensations from a Kindle screen!
Gail